Should I apply for unemployment - Washington ESD eligibility questions

That's a relief to hear! Do you know roughly how much I might qualify for? I'm worried it won't be enough to help with my bills.

It depends on your earnings history, but with part-time work at $15/hour, you're probably looking at maybe $200-300 per week in benefits. You'll need to keep filing weekly claims and report your reduced earnings.

Should I tell my current employer I'm filing for unemployment? I don't want to make things awkward since I'm still working there part-time.

You don't need to tell them beforehand, but Washington ESD will contact your employer to verify your claim. It's pretty standard and employers deal with this all the time, especially for hour reductions.

Your employer might even expect it given how much they cut your hours. Most reasonable employers understand that people need to pay their bills.

Thanks for the tip! How much does something like that cost? I'm already tight on money.

It's worth it when you consider how much time you save not sitting on hold for hours. Plus if you need help with your claim, getting through to an agent quickly can mean the difference between getting benefits or having delays.

I've heard of services like that but never tried one. Did it actually work for you?

Yeah, it worked great. I was able to speak with an Washington ESD agent within a reasonable time instead of calling 50+ times myself.

What counts as a job search contact? Just applying online or do I need to do more?

Online applications count, but you can also include things like networking events, contacting employers directly, working with WorkSource, or even informational interviews. Just keep detailed records.

That's not encouraging! Is there a guide somewhere or tips for getting through the application process?

The application itself isn't too bad once you get started. Just make sure you have all your info ready and don't rush through it. Take your time on each page.

That makes sense. I am definitely looking for full-time work, so that shouldn't be an issue.

Also don't forget you have to file your weekly claim every week, even if you worked some hours. Miss a week and you might lose benefits for that period.

That's good to know! I was worried I hadn't worked long enough to qualify for anything.

Yeah, the base period calculation can be confusing but 8 months of steady work should definitely count toward your eligibility.

Good point about keeping copies. Should I screenshot everything or is there a better way to keep records?

I usually screenshot important pages and also print to PDF when possible. Better to have too much documentation than not enough if questions come up later.

Definitely planning to be completely honest. I don't want to mess anything up or get in trouble.

Smart approach. The system is designed to help people in situations like yours, so there's no need to try to game it.

Thanks for saying that. I was definitely worried about potential backlash, but you're right that it's my right to file.

Plus, your employer's unemployment insurance rates are already set based on their history. One partial claim isn't going to significantly impact them.

Perfect, I'll do it online tonight when I have time to focus on it properly.

Good plan. Try to do it when you won't be interrupted so you can take your time with each section.

What's adjudication exactly? Is that something I should expect to happen?

Adjudication is just when Washington ESD needs to investigate or verify aspects of your claim. It can happen for various reasons, like if there are questions about your work separation or availability. Most get resolved within a few weeks.

If you do end up needing to talk to someone during adjudication, that's another situation where services like Claimyr can be really helpful. Sometimes you need to provide additional information or clarification quickly.

You're absolutely right. I think I was making it more complicated in my head than it needs to be. Going to apply tonight!

That's the spirit! The worst they can do is say no, but based on what you've described, you should qualify for at least some benefits.

Thank you everyone for all the helpful advice! I feel much more confident about applying now.

You've got this! The system exists to help people in exactly your situation.